Modern trends in phytochemical extraction from alternative crops support exploring use of alternative technologies such as ultrasound- and micro-wave-assisted extractions. Considering the reduction of toxic solvents, rapid and effective extraction process, the above-mentioned technologies have become the foundation of green chemistry approaches in a wide range of applications. These extractions have not been studied on Satureja kitaibelii Wierzb. ex Heuff, which is a highly potent plant when considering its aromatic and medicinal properties. This preliminary study presents an in vitro evaluation of biological activities of ultrasound- and microwave-assisted extracts of S. kitaibelii, for the first time. Furthermore, it offers a totally green, modern, fast, and reproducible method for extraction of phytochemicals from S. kitaibelii herba (Rtanj Mountain, Serbia). This short communication suggests that the applied microwave-assisted extraction, using only water as the solvent, can be a promising approach for obtaining green products with commercial potential.

The microbiologically induced calcite precipitation (MICP) has been extensively studied for geotechnical engineering through simultaneous action of natural phenomena and engineering processes. The focus of bacterial contribution to the MICP has been directed to calcium carbonate productivity, while the additional bacterial role as a crystal nucleation center was not explained especially from a mathematical prediction modeling point of view. Therefore, this study provides explanations and a mathematical modeling approach of bacterial influence on the MICP induced by newly-isolated ureolytic Bacillus strains and Sporosarcina pasteurii DSM 33. Using the obtained results of low-cost, rapid, and simple assays, artificial neural network modeling was applied for cell surface predispositions, pH changes as well as calcium-involved function in biofilm formation during the MICP, for the first time. Based on the obtained contribution of the alkalophilic/alkaloresistant bacteria, calcite precipitation can be significantly directed by the presence, of ureolytic bacterial cells as nucleation centers during CaCO 3 precipitation as well as their morphology, surface characteristics, potential to form a biofilm, and/or generate pH changes.

beverage has a mild vinegar taste [Chen & Liu, 2000]. In order to obtain a pleasantly sour, sweetened beverage, fermentation should be terminated when titratable acidity (TA) of fermentation broth reaches 4-4.5 g acetic acid/L, that is confi rmed by Kombucha consumers [Cvetković et al., 2008]. The tea fungus is a consortium of acetic acid bacteria (AAB) (Gluconacetobacter xylinum, previously known as Acetobacter xylinum, which is the primary and best studied bacteria in Kombucha) and yeasts (species of the genera Saccharomyces, Torulopsis, Pichia, Brettanomyces, Zygosaccharomyces, Candida and Saccharomycoides) [

Microbiologically induced CaCO3 precipitation (MICP) is a well-known bio-based solution with application in environmental, geotechnical, and civil engineering. The significance of the MICP has increased explorations of process efficiency and specificity via natural bacterial isolates. In this study, comprehensive profiling of five soil ureolytic Bacillus strains was performed through a newly formed procedure that involved six steps from selection and identification, through kinetic study, to the characterization of the obtained precipitates, for the first time. To shorten the whole selection procedure of 43 bioagents with the MICP potential, Standard Score Analysis was performed and five selected bacteria were identified as Bacillus muralis, B. lentus, B. simplex, B. firmus, and B. licheniformis by the MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Despite following the targeted activity, kinetic studies were included important aspects of ureolysis and the MICP such as cell concentration, pH profiling, and reduction in calcium ion concentration. At the final step, characterization of the obtained precipitates was performed using FTIR, XRD, Raman, DTA/TGA, and SEM analysis. Although all tested strains showed significant potential in terms of precipitation of calcite or calcite and vaterite phase, the main differences in the MICP behavior can be observed at the bacterial strain level. B. licheniformis showed favorable behavior compared to the reference Sporosarcina pasteurii DSM 33.

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